A stylish array of colors, shapes, sizes, and price tags make cultured pearls the perfect way to accessorize just about any outfit. Stunning strands of pearls are created with a little human help, by placing a bead into an oyster or mussel. After the shell closes, the mollusk slowly covers the bead in nacre, the crystalline substance responsible for a pearl’s iridescence, to protect itself. The value of a particular type of pearl is determined by such factors as luster, nacre, size, lack of surface flaw, and symmetry.
TYPES OF CULTURED PEARLS
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South Sea Pearls | Black Tahitian Pearls | Akoya | Freshwater Pearls | Keshi or Poppy Seed Pearls | |
Origin: | Saltwater oysters from Northern Australia and Southeast Asia | Black-lipped oysters from the warm waters of the South Seas. | Saltwater oysters from China and Japan | Freshwater mussels primarily from China | Salt or fresh water |
Size: | 9 mm to 18 mm | 8 mm to 15 mm | 3 mm to 10 mm | 2 mm to 16 mm | Extremely small and not fully formed |
Colors: | Silver, gold, and white | Dark hues of black, grey, silver, green, blue, and purple | White or cream with rose, cream, or ivory overtones | Pale shades of white, black, pink, peach, lavender, plum, purple, and tangerine | Various; can be dyed |
Shapes: | Round, near round and button | All | Round, semi-round, baroque, drop | Oval, button, and baroque—but rarely round or semi-round | Various |
Cost: | $10,000 to $30,000 | $8,000 to $25,000 | $800 to $5,000 | $100 to $500 | $25 to $200 |
Pearl of Wisdom: | The most expensive pearl on the market due to its rarity and luster. | The only type of pearl to achieve its black color naturally | Used in the classic white pearl necklace, these typically have the greatest shine and highest luster of all cultured pearls | Not as lustrous as other types, they offer the widest range of options for pearl buyers in terms of size, shape, and color | Typically used in commercial and fashion jewelry, they are formed when the oyster rejects and spits out the implanted nucleus material before culturing is complete. |
*Prices noted are for a 16- to 18-inch necklace
South Sea, Black Tahitian, and Akoya pearl images by Winterson Pearls. Visit Winterson Pearls’ website here.